Morning journal and courier., 1887-09-27
JUST FIFTY YEARS AGO.
The First Baptist Church of Bridg'
 port Celebrates It's ssemf-CentenntaI

The First Baptist Church of Bridge.
 port Celebrates Itss SemI-Centennfa1-l
 A Grand Gathering.
 BRIDGEPORT, Sept. 26.-Yesterday the members of the First Baptist church of this city were deeply concerned and at the same time jubilant over the day being the fftieth anniversary of the organization of the society. The interior of the church was profusely altar appeared the word Jubilee," on the other side the dates 1887 1887. - ..s.,.,..-.
 In the morning every seat was. occupied. Rev. w. V. Warner, the pastor, preached historical sermon. He said that fifty years age Bridgeport was respectable village, with a population of but 5000, the city proper
 having but 5000 inhabitants. There were
 but four churches then, one Methodist, one
 Episcopal and two Congregational. There
 was only one Baptist church within ten
 miles, and to that one we are largely indebted
 for our existence. It was the Stratford Bap-
 tist church.
 On September 6, 1887, a meeting of the
 various Baptist churches for some distance
 round was called to consider the expediency of organizing Baptist church here. Joseph
 w. Eaton was chosen moderator and Ray
 mond Whitney clerk. The church was formed with thirty-nine members, eight ot
 whom are now living Three out of the eight are still members and to one, Mrs. Thom
 as P. White, belongs the honor of being consecutive member during the entire fifty
 years On September 20, 1887, the organiza-
 tion services were held and the choir of the First Congregational church furnished music. The records are i'm perfect, but as near as been received into the church by baptism and 580 by letter. The church has had eight pastors exclusive of the present one. In 1S44 the church passed through severe trials, ow- ing to some of the members adopting the
 Miller doctrines which were reg arded by the
 church as heresies. Consequently eight of the strongest supporters were expelled. A
 second Baptist church was organized by the disaaffected ones, but it soon disbanded, ow- tug to strengthened circumstances, and asev- era1 returned to their allegiance. In 1874 several members visiting on the east side ex- pressed their purpose of severing their con nection from the mother church and estab- fishing church in East Bridgeport. It was done, although opposed by the more conserv ative members of the First church. To-day we gladly greet the daughter.
 During the service Mrs. White, referred to above, occupied front seat
 The evening services commenced at 7:30, and every seat was again occupied and chairs had to be placed in every available place. Although the services lasted until 10 o'clock, yet not person left the church, so interest ed were they Rev. J. Warren of Stratford, until recently pastor of the Stratford Baptist church, made the address. He gave the his tory of the Stratford Baptist church, which 1 society was organized 136 years ago in a pri- vate house.
 MT. James Potter read very interesting paper on "The Deceased Members of the Church." One hundred and fifty have died in the fellowship of the church.
 Rev J. R. Cow, pastor of the East Wash ington avenue Baptist church, made an ad- dress, and extended congratulations of his society to the First church.
 Dr. George L. Porter read 8 paper on the "Deaconry of the First church during it's first fifty years"
 The services came to close after short ] address by Rev. William Reid, former pas tor of the church.